Yes, I have fallen off the face of the earth...

and I rather like it. I'd like to show you some photos of the new house, but most of it is still covered in boxes, Alan's computer has no photo-working software, and I can't get Grandpa's computer to work. My computer is not set up yet. My first priority when it does get set up - find some new photo software!

In the mean time I can load huge, uncropped photos on my flickr account - so click over there to check out what's been going on in my life. Here's a sample of what you'll see in the neatest corner of my house!


I went on my first "power shopping" trip last night at Kroger. But first, we took a quick ride through Wal-Mart to see if these advertised prices really were that much better... and they were. Armed with the store sale circular, customer reward card, Internet printable coupons and e-coupons, I saved a total of $28.54 off my grocery bill. If I hadn't been a child-toting newbie, I could have saved even more. Tiredness and inexperience go the best of me, though. What I learned for next time:

1. Study the circular even more before arriving at the store.
2. Try to go to the store early in the sale period for the best selection.
3. Make sure to hand over the store reward card to be scanned first! (I think that's why my e-coupons were not deducted.)
4. Go early in the day when Dad is off duty so he can keep the kids!

Now you can go look at my pictures.

Happy Halloween!

October was a busy month! I missed blogging several event because I was so busy, so I've put together a slide show. In addition to working on the house constantly, we also managed to visit a pumpkin patch, visit Aunt Erin in the hospital when Baby Mason was born, celebrate many birthdays, move our stuff into our house, attend a Fall Fest, and go Trick-or-Treating (to one house!).

I got a couple of videos so David's aunts could see his robot walk & robot voice:

This Week

I am having a hard time getting into a routine in our temporary housing... except that Monday is still my big laundry day. Here are some pictures I've taken in the last week:

Elizabeth is fascinated by David. She smiles & laughs at his antics. It's really cute to watch!

Here are Grandma & David playing in the sand box.

OH - We got a contract on our house this week! at our asking price!! We got the papers today. They want to close on May 15!

Elizabeth's 3 Months Old!

Moving Day (April 9) was Elizabeth's 3-month-old birthday! Can you believe it??? I sure can't!

Kudos to Sears Portrait Studio for another great set of pictures! (Of course, they had a wonderful subject to photograph anyway!) I ordered a package in this first pose. They'll be ready in two weeks.

We made it...

Well, after a VERY long day, we finally made it to Grandma & Grandpa's house! Our caravan consisted of Grandma driving the Lumina, Dad's fireman friend Mack driving his truck pulling their Lieutenant's trailer (Alan rode with Mack so they could keep each other awake after fighting a 3-alarm fire all night long Sunday night!!!), me driving the Excursion (I had left my Saturn with Grandpa & borrowed the Excursion last weekend) pulling a U-Haul trailer, Mack's wife Delanie & Elizabeth rode with me, Dad's cousin Curt driving his truck pulling Papa's trailer, and Grandpa driving his truck pulling the gooseneck cattle trailer! MawMaw had been out at our house on Easter & took David back with her on Sunday. We got most of our stuff stored in my brother's garage, now just need to finish bringing in what we're going to keep here at Grandma & Grandpa's.

Not sure where my camera is right now & using Grandpa's computer, so I'll get pictures up later.

There is no way we could say thank you enough to the following people for the help we've gotten the last few weeks: Grandma & Grandpa, MawMaw, Mack & Delanie, Grana & Papa, Curt, Phillip, Chatta, Bubba & Aunt Wee, Will & Jesse.

Time Out for Moving

I have decided that there will be no more blogging until after the move. Moving Day is Monday, April 9. Check back for updates after that. Thanks for reading & leave a comment to let me know you were here!

In the mean time, pray for our safe move and pray for my sister (I fixed the link) & niece as they go on mission trip to Tijuana this week!

Dad's 30!!!

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To help get ready for

Dad's 30th

Birthday

yesterday,

David helped me

ice the cakes!

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I made 2 cupcakes (one for David & one for Mom) and two pan cakes for Dad to take to his going away party.

Later in the afternoon, Casey hosted Alan's FD going away party at his house.
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They grilled
and shot the bull...

then they set a fire.

Always the instigator, Dad wore his FWFD shirt

just to see if he could stir anyone up.

Apparently it got chilly, so Chatta tried to warm his toes.

Pretty good way to send off a fireman.

Then they played a few games of Halo.

There's Something You Don't See Everyday!

In case you hadn't heard, our house in Fort Worth fell through, so we're moving in with my parents until we can get our house sold & find another one in Fort Worth. So this weekend, the kids & I made a quick trip to Grandma & Grandpa's to clean out my old bedroom & the guest room so that we can move in.

On the way home, we had to stop at our favorite convenience store to use the bathroom, change diapers & nurse Elizabeth. While we were sitting in the car, David & I were both impressed by what pulled in....

An 18-wheeler loaded with 24 golf carts! Then another truck pulled in. Then another! That's 72 golf carts! (yes, we're easily amused)

Comm Center Going Away Party

Dad's coworkers from the hospital took us out for a going away dinner tonight and gave him this really cute cookie bouquet. We had a good time with some good Mexican food!

Here you can see Elizabeth has turned a couple of burly firemen into mush! The Captain (holding E) also works at the Comm Center. The Lieutenant (right) is one of Dad's favorite officers, to say the least.

Here's a funny story... When I passed Elizabeth across the table to the Captain, David started screaming, "BABY!!!" As if to say, "She belongs to us!!!" Dad reassured David that it was OK for the Captain to hold her. He still hollered "BABY" every once in a while, just to make sure everyone knew where she belongs. We thought that was sweet, David was showing his first signs of being protective of her. So he must really like her!

Denise (left) was the boss that hired Alan. She is married to the Lieutenant. I failed to warn Denise & Nichole that I was taking their picture. : )

Beth (left) and her son are visiting with the new boss, Wendy.

A Great Mommy Day

Did you know that you can not include an exclamation point in the labels? I just learned that. What happens is that you'll get an error message and loose the eloquent post you had just thoughtfully composed about how wonderful today was even though I was getting children ready to go to church in the rain by myself. (Dad's on duty.)

Well, I still had a wonderful Mommy Day - no bad moods, temper tantrums, or screaming fits, no painful gas bubbles and explosive diapers. It was peaceful and restful.

David wore his rain jacket & went peacefully to his class at church and Elizabeth slept the entire service in the Baby Bjorn on my chest. We had a wonderful guest speaker today from Pakistan, with The Voice of the Martyrs. I didn't even realize it was 12:15 until Elizabeth started letting me know it was about time to nurse again.

This was just one of those days where I looked at my kids with thankfulness and love. Other mommies know - sometimes you just get overwhelmed by these little people in a good way. What did I do to get such sweet and adorable children? They are just such a blessing.

And now, next time they're screaming & crying, I need to try to come back to read this post!

In other news, we have 2 weeks until the move! And we did get a place to move into!

Menu Plan Monday

Since I'm trying to clean out the freezer before the big move, I decided to give Menu Plan Monday a try! So here we go (alternate items listed are for David)....

Monday: Chopped Brisket Sandwiches, Chips & Carrot Sticks / Grilled Cheese
Tuesday: Chicken Strips, Brown Rice & Green Beans
Wednesday: Tacos & Guacamole / Cheese Quesidillia
Thursday: BLT's
Friday: Cheese Ravioli with Ragu, Garlic Bread, Green Beans
I didn't get to Saturday & Sunday.

Cheeky

Who wants to squeeze these cheeks???

(either set!)

While David was at MDO today, I got our taxes done! YEAH! I wonder how long it will take to get our refund?

The boxes are now expanding to other locations in the house. In fact, I need to get more boxes. I can't even get to my bed now because it's covered with boxes, too!

... and miles to go before I sleep ...

For those of you who are in to ladybugs, check out this new Bible that my niece found!

Coming Home

Update: No, we didn't find a place to live. No further news...


For our first diaper & nursing stop on the way home Monday, Dad found a spot within walking distance to the tracks. Look closely to see them at the tracks, Dad standing & David squatting down.

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David's hands were filthy when they got back to the car, but he was a happy little boy! Here he is showing off his "BIG NAIL!!!"

We also saw 2 of these things sitting on the side of the road. Click to enlarge. Wonder what they are... I think they looked like rockets!

No Photo Thursday

Sorry, I have no photos today. I've been too busy to download the camera! I don't know if they'll read this, but I want to publically thank MawMaw & Aunt Erin for their help this week. They headed back home today and even offered to watch David while we house hunt this weekend.

My pile of boxes continues to grow and has expanded to other locations around the house. The kitchen cabinets are now all empty except for food - we're eating on paper plates and since I packed all my plasticware, ziplock baggies are now my new best friend! Bookshelves are empty, walls are bare, cats are confused. Ebay sales have also picked up this week, so I've also had to spend some time packing & shipping those items.

I did get to spend some Mom-time with David today & afterwards, much to my relief, the screaming stopped. Poor little guy, I guess he just doesn't understand what's going on and why Mom is so busy. Note to self: make sure to get Mom-David time in EVERY DAY!

Now I'm off to pack our bags for our house-hunting trip this weekend... will keep you posted.

First Slumber Party?

Looks like Elizabeth is hosting her first slumber party. Here are MawMaw and Aunt Erin crashed on the futon watching Lady and the Tramp.

No pictures of David today. Maybe he didn't stop screaming long enough to be photographed.



The pile of boxes continues to grow...

Thanks to MawMaw & Aunt Erin for watching & playing with the kids while I packed up the kitchen today.

Tackle It Tuesday

Now that I'm getting ready for a move, every day is a "Tackle It" day! Here's the before & after photo I took, though...

Kitchen Cabinet Before

After: Only the Necessities Remain!

Photo Tag: Prized Possession!

After crying through a re-run of Texas Country Reporter (story on generational quilting) last Saturday, I decided that maybe my most prized possession are my quilts. Most of them were made just for me by people who loved me.

The quilts are, top-to-bottom:

• A twin-size quilt. This is the only one that I'm really not sure who made. I remember it being an old quilt when I used it on my bed growing up. This one went to college with me. Maybe after we move, I'll post a picture of it spread out on our craft blog to see if anyone knows who made it.
• With lavender trim & back, Grandmama made this one for me when I was in junior high... to give to me for my wedding. I got it in 1998.
• The burgundy, forest green & navy log cabin quilt was made by Sissy for our bedspread when we got married.
• The "H" quilt was a collaboration by Momma & my husband's Grana (and probably some help from the Sew & Sews) after we got married.
• The brightest quilt I've ever seen was made by Grandmama just a few years ago. This was the last one I got from her. She made one for all 3 of her grand kids.
• The octagon quilt was made by my husband's great-grandmother and given to us for our wedding.
• Finally, the bottom quilt was also made by Grandmama more than a few years ago, but not too long ago. She also made 3 of these that year for each grand kid.

See the rest of this week's Photo Tag over at Adventures in Babywearing.

Gimmie Kiss

Is that sweet, or what?!?!

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Sometimes I wonder why we even have toys when something like a spatula brings so much joy! It's no wonder that Aunt Sissy actually sold an empty cardboard box on eBay last Christmas for over $10!!!

Elizabeth is getting a little Mom time. She's so cute!

Today's chapter of The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian, was Being the Person God Created. This was such a good chapter that I thought I'd share a bit of it with you. My favorite verse in the chapter was this:

They (our children) will spring up among the grass like willows by the watercourses. One will say, "I am the Lord's; another will write with his hand, "The Lord's." - Isaiah 44:4-5

And the prayer ending the chapter was also excellent - read it for my children or your own:

Lord, I pray that You would pour out Your Spirit upon David & Elizabeth this day and anoint them for all that You've called them to be and do. You have said, "Let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called" (I Cor 7:24). May it be for these children according to Your Word, that they never stray from what You have called them to be and do, or try to be something they are not.
Deliver David & Elizabeth from any evil plan of the devil to rob them of life, to steal away their uniqueness & giftedness, to compromise the path You've called them to be. May they not be a follower of anyone but You, but may they be leaders of people into Your kingdom. Help them to grow into a complete understanding of their authority in Jesus, while retaining a submissive and humble spirit. May the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control grow in them daily (Gal 5:22). May they find their identity in You, view themselves as Your instrument, and know that they are complete in You. Give them a vision for their lives when setting goals for the future and a sense of purpose about what You've called them to do. Help them to see themselves as You do - from the future and not their past. May they be convinced that Your thoughts toward them are thoughts of peace and not evil, to give them a future and a hope (Jer 29:11). Teach them to look to You as their hope for the future. May they understand it it You "who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began" (II Tim 1:9). May their commitment to being who You created them to be enable them to grow daily in confidence and Holy Spirit boldness.

Wow...


On the moving front, I got more boxes packed today. Doesn't look like much. (Notice the cat on the boxes?) BUT I also filled up one of those huge black trash bags of stuff to throw away and listed a ton of stuff to give away on Freecycle! Aren't you proud of me for parting with stuff?!?

Diaries of a Moving Mom

I think for the next 3 weeks I should re-name this blog, The Diaries of a Moving Mom!!! Expect more boring pictures like this!

Yesterday afternoon, we took down the guest bed & I basically cleaned out the Christmas closet before accidentally locking the room! Actually, I think some little fingers helped the door lock. We did finally figure out how to unlock it, thanks to Dad.


E-bees had a rough afternoon yesterday after those vaccinations. Thank you, Infant's Tylenol, for helping ease her pain! She's doing much better this morning.